Near-drowning leads to fines for Councils

Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeenshire Council were fined £9,000 and £4,000 respectively after a pupil from Ferryhill Primary School nearly died during a school excursion to Stonehaven Open Air Pool. Inadequate staffing and poor lifeguard positioning meant that the 11-year-old boy lay undetected at the bottom of the pool until spotted by a member of the public, who lifted him out.

Following cardiopulmonary resuscitation the boy, who had stopped breathing, regained consciousness and made a full recovery. Aberdeen City Council is responsible for the school, while the pool is operated by Aberdeenshire Council. Both admitted breaches of safety legislation.